Is Ford A 'Strawman' For Gillibrand?

[Me.]

Crazy I know but I can't help wondering. He is running such a hapless campaign and saying such stupid things. Listening to him on the local news I found myself getting annoyed with him in favor of Gillibrand. I wondered if this was a Schumer trick to rally people around her, as she isn't very popular and at the same time, because there are already 2 people in the race, discourage others from running.

[KittyWampus]

1. "she isn't very popular"?

[Me.]

3. Jan.19 Observer

“In the 12 months since Governor David Paterson made Kirsten Gillibrand a senator, her poll numbers have done something rather remarkable: that is, nothing.

There are several explanations for why Ms. Gillibrand’s statewide approval ratings have spent a year mired in the mid-20s, despite her superior title and elevated profile: Her appointment process was publicly bungled; her stance on issues like guns and gay rights evolved in disarmingly short order; and, since she’s never had to run a statewide campaign, many voters still don’t know who she is, or, for that matter, what she’s doing down in Washington.” Cont…

http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/gillibrands-vox-unpopuli

[Captain Hilts]

2. No. She doesn't need one. And he's Bloomie's idea anyway. nt

[JackRiddler]

4. In effect, yes. Whether he means to is another question.

The situation disgusts me because this DLC carpetbagger came along with a surefire losing campaign to the right of an otherwise very weak Gillibrand, and though it's no doubt not intended, stole away the chance of a real challenge. (Given how these things work nowadays, sadly. I pine for the old days, when five candidates could run in the primary for mayor and they all had a chance.)

I don't know why Maloney didn't go for it. I'm sure she'd win.

[JCMach1]

5. Srsly if NY wanted a Center-Right candidate just get Bloomberg to run

[JackRiddler]

10. Are you kidding? He'd never do that.

He gets to play God with the biggest and richest city of all, and he's made clear that he likes it and is determined to hold on to it for many more years to come.

[JCMach1]

12. I also didn't mean as a dem either... at some point NYC

will be too small a playground for his ambitions.

[JackRiddler]

15. I don't think so - I'm not inside his head but...

In New York he is literally the emperor - the RICHEST man in the only two industries that matter (media and finance), mayor of THE global imperial city, absolute ruler of the schools, chief executive who arranges his office and chains of authority as he likes (a position he's accustomed to). He gets to run the city like his corporation. It's unimaginable he'd want to give that up just to be one out of 100 senators in Washington. And higher than that is impossible - seriously. A Jewish New Yorker who is "still a bachelor" in his 60s? I don't see that winning Ohio before 2044 at the earliest.

[Me.]

13. Another Gooseberry In The Pile

Is the fact that Pataki is catching up to Gillibrand in terms of numbers. Damn Patterson and Schumer for this. As for candidates like Maloney, I read a while back they were scared off by the WH. Why not Nina Lowey?

[blm]

7. It was intended. That's how DLC operates.

.

[Me.]

9. No Choice Either Way

And I'm whiffing Schumer's shenanigans behind all this. Yokno, the guy who endorsed and praised Chertoff and Mukasey. God I wish a decent candidate would take the plunge.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

6. Perhaps a "stalking horse" as opposed to a straw man

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalking_horse

I can't imagine Harold Ford making himself look hapless on purpose for someone else's benefit. On the other hand, I wonder why the HEAD of the DLC would mount a challenge to an incumbent, unless she's too progressive for their Blue Dog philosophy. Why do they shout for "unity" and then do everything that is disharmonious?

[Me.]

8. A Conundrum

I just can't figure why he's running at all. Viewing the boroughs from a helicopter? Having his pedicures written up?

[JackRiddler]

11. blm thinks it's to legitimate her and prevent a challenge from her left.

Probably everyone's too progressive for blue dog philosophy - she voted against the bailout. But again, the effect here is to reinforce someone much to the right of strong potential challengers like Maloney.

[Me.]

14. I Find That A Credible Supposition

see post # 13